Today’s Reading: John 14:1-7Today’s Reference: Revelation 1:17b-18 “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”

Those who haven’t accepted Christ’s redeeming work have every reason to fear death. Every last affront to God’s holiness will be paid for with their personal suffering—for eternity.

But if we have accepted Christ, we have nothing to fear. Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare the way, and when we die we’ll find Him waiting for us. What could be better? We’ll be in Heaven, with our own personalities and memories intact, surrounded by those friends who have also accepted Christ—and we’ll be sinless—in a place with no tears or sorrow.

This isn’t our “eternal reward” for something we’ve done right. It’s Christ’s victory over sin and death—His free gift to us. Paul wrote, “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”—1 Corinthians 15:54

Prayer:

Father, help me remember that Death isn’t the end of the road, it’s the turning that brings me fully into Your presence. Strengthen me to do Your work while I live, and grant me joy as I anticipate coming home.